This article is written by Alyssa Strickland.
Photo by picjumbo.com from Pexels
Starting a business used to be something that involved major risks and a lot of trial and error, but now there are tons of opportunities that anyone can learn from and take part in. However, whether you’re looking to sell handmade goods or valuable services, it’s important to have solid planning and research skills.
Because books are budget-friendly resources, you’ll benefit from finding some of the most highly-rated volumes and learning from what the authors have to say. There are plenty to choose from, and you may be able to find some of them at your school library. Courtesy of Dropner Graphic Explainer, here are a few books to try when you’re ready to jump in.
1. Start with a side-hustle
Unsure of whether you’re ready to quit your day job just yet? It’s possible to start a side-hustle by using a hobby you already enjoy and turn it into a business down the road when you’re a bit more steady on your feet. While you’ll want to make sure your idea has a demand, you can conceivably start earning an income fairly quickly if it’s a business that doesn’t have much overhead, such as something you can do out of your home. Side Hustle: From Idea To Income In 27 Days by Chris Guillebeau teaches you how to layout a plan for your side gig and turn it into a money-making idea without a lot of fuss. Look into your legal responsibilities before you get started, as you’ll probably need to obtain a business license. You may also want to register your business LLC, which will allow for tax benefits and protect you from business-related debts.
2. Learn how to be your own boss
Something many new entrepreneurs have trouble with is figuring out how to self-motivate so they can be their own boss. If you don’t have a good understanding of how to create a successful leadership plan for yourself, you may end up feeling overwhelmed after just a few months within your business. Become Your Own Boss In 12 Months: A Month-By-Month Guide To A Business That Works by Melinda F. Emerson is a practical guide that can help you figure out everything from the basics to the most difficult steps, such as marketing strategies that really work. Especially if you take this knowledge then give yourself an edge by furthering your business education, you’re practically guaranteed success!
3. Find new connections
Another aspect of self-motivation is learning how to network and why it’s so important, which can be challenging for those with social anxiety. If you have a hard time marketing yourself, it’s time to learn for the sake of your business. Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi is about how to make the most of your lunch hour, how to utilize social media, and how to build work relationships while making yourself available to them rather than creating a one-sided connection. You can also learn how to navigate conferences and other work-related events and use them to your advantage.
4. Market like a pro
Of course, it’s not just yourself that you have to get comfortable marketing; you also have to learn how to sell your product or service. Joe Pulizzi’s Epic Content Marketing pinpoints strategies that will help you learn how to focus on your customers, how to understand and create a niche product that works, and how to ensure that your marketing strategy is an ongoing process rather than a one-time project. Being able to find and grow your customer base is, after all, essential to your business’s success.
Starting your own business can be exhilarating, but the glow will fade quickly if you don’t have a solid plan for your success. Doing some research will give you insight into the steps you need to take and will give you peace of mind as you get started since you can learn from the experience of others.
Bonny, the owner of Dropner Graphic Explainer, is a graphic designer who makes explainer videos. Have a project in mind? Contact him today!
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